64 EEPORT OK NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



been printed when the year closed. The groups of birds, 16 in num- 

 ber, which were originally made for various expositions, were over- 

 hauled, and the cases made dust tight as far as possible and provided 

 with new framed labels. Under present conditions it is not deemed 

 expedient to build new cases for these groups. The beautiful speci- 

 mens of the Argus pheasant presented some time ago by Dr. W. L. 

 Abbott, were brought together by the taxidermists in the form of a 

 group, with ground-work, and j^laced in a new case. This group is one 

 of the most attractive and interesting objects in the entire exhibition 

 series. The baseboards of all the large alcove-cases were repainted. 



In order to find room for the enlargement of the National Herba- 

 rium it became necessary to abandon the limited space on the East 

 Hall gallery previousl}^ allotted for botanical exhibits. This was done 

 most reluctantlv, but in view of the necessities of the case it was 

 deemed unavoidable. With this change the Museum definitely aban- 

 doned making botanical exhibits for the present, but with the hope 

 that after the new building provided for by Congress is erected, abun- 

 dant room will be found for such collections. 



During the year each of the exhibition halls was provided with a 

 large sign, calling attention in a few words to its contents, as for 

 example, "Lower Invertebrates," "American Mammals," etc. In 

 addition, uniform framed case labels, about 200 in number, were 

 provided for all the cases containing mammals, birds, reptiles, 

 batrachians, insects, and lower invertebrates. The series of case 

 labels for the exhibit of comparative anatomy was also completed. 



A considerable number of requests we^-e received during the year 

 for photographs of various groups and single objects in the exhibi- 

 tion series, chiefiy for purposes of publication. The Bureau of 

 Engraving and Printing made photographs and sketches of the 

 mounted bison as a basis for the figure of that animal placed on 

 the new ten-dollar bill. An American eagle was mounted in a special 

 attitude for a similar purpose. Prof. M. M. Metcalf, of the Woman's 

 College of Baltimore, made a number of photographs of skeletons 

 and other objects for a forthcoming work on evolution. Dr. D. G. 

 Elliot, of the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago, obtained photo- 

 graphs of certain whale skulls for a work on the mammals of Central 

 America. 



EXPLORATIONS. 



In the spring of 1903, Mr. F. A. Lucas, accompanied by Messrs. 

 William Palmer and J. W. Scollick, visited one of the stations of the 

 Cabot Steam Whaling Company, Newfoundland, to obtain a large whale 

 for the St. Louis Exposition. Toward the close of the fiscal year Mr. 

 Lucas reported that the skeleton and casts of the exterior of a sulphur- 

 bottom whale, about 75 feet long, had been obtained. By invitation 



